Refillable fuse-tube.



G. FISHER.

REFILLABL FUSE TUBE.

PPLIOATION FILED m8410191?,

Patented Feb. 10, 1914 Iliff; 5555 GEORGE FISHER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

REFILLABLE FUSE-TUBFn Specitcation of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 10. 1914.

Application led February 10, 1913. Serial NQ. 747,258.

T0 (lll whom it 'may conccl'n.'

Re it known that l. (iconen Fisiina, ot Cleveland. in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Refillable FuSeJl`ubeS, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fuses for electric circuits, and to means for safely connecting and inclosing them.

The objects of my present invention are, to provide convenient and readily accessible means for int-losing a fuse to eliminate fire danger: to provide a casing and connections adapted to receive a new fuse without delay upon the burning out of the fusible connection: to provide a self-contained fuse attachment instantly separable from its casing, but contacting automatically upon the closing of tluycasing: and to produce an efficient and more readily iefillablc inclosed fuse tube, and at less expenseI tor manufacture, than the devices tor the purpose now in general use.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent to those familiar with the art upon perusal of the following description.

Referring now to the acconipanying draw-l ings illustrating preferable embodiments of my invention 2-Figure l is a plan view, and Fig. 2 is an end elevation ot a fuse tube connected up'iii ari electric circuit. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the tubular casing and fuse gripper bar. Fig. 4 is another lengthwise section of the casing, with the fuse gripper arrangement shown in plan view. Fig. 5 is an end elevatipn of a modiv tied torni of end cap, and bracket connection. Fig. G is a detailed side elevation of one end of the fuse gripper and bar.

The reference letter a. indicates thc outer casing for the device, preferably of hard ibroiis, or other suitable electrically insulating material, which, for purposes of strength and convenience ot' manufacture. should be tubular in forin. The interior of the casing a should be lined throughout with insulating and non-combustible material, as shown at b, closely fitted, 0r adhering, to t-he casing. A metallic cap e is flanged to fit closely over one end of the casing aand is fixcdly secured thereto in any suitable Way, as by means of the depressions d punched in the flange of the cap so as to engage corresponding depressions in the easing a. A similar metal cap n is fitted to slide over the other end of the tube a., so as to be readily removable; and one or more spring latches are secured to its cylindrical flange, each latch being provided with suitable means of engagement with the tube, such as a liole q in the latch adapted to spring over a pin zv 'firmly Xed to and projecting from the tube a. Thus by raising the latch f, the cap c may be slipped off of the tube a; but when the cap is replaced aiid pressed against the end ofthe tube. the latch f springs into place and retains the cap securely on the tube. i

Thev removable fuse holder comprises a bar j of hard vulcanized fiber, or other'suitable electrically insulating material, carrying upon each ofits extremities a` metallic spring clamp ada )ted to receive and hold a wire, or strip la oi metal fusible at a relatively low temperature. The fuse holder bar j is preferably ol" a rectangular crosssection. and should be wrapped or inclosed in a covering 2' ot' insulating and non-coinbustible material. The fuse holders lare of spring metal, substantially duplicates of each other, and firmly secured respectively to the ends of the bar by rivets r. as shown, or iii any suitable way. Each holder clamp may be made of two strips ot metal` but l prefer to use a single flatstrip doubled upon itself, as shown` and secured to the side of the bar The ends of the spring clamps are initially bent to a slightly obtuse angle with. and overhang the ends of, the bar y', as shown iii Fig. tl. A groove, or socket, is formed' in the inner side of one of the overhanging ends of the clamp to receive the fuse wire outward crimp mof the longer end. as shown, disposed approximately in line with the cent-ral airis of the bar j. A small bclid n. opposed to said socket` may be made. in the shorter, or opposite, end of the spring clamp, and both ends of the clamp maybe slightly tiared to facilitate the introduction of the fuse wire.

It should now be readily understood that to load the device. the ends ot a fuse wire Z' are sprung between. and gripped respec tively by, the ends of the spring clamps Z. the fuse wire being carried from end to end alongside the bar j, and the latter inserted in the tube a. In pressing the metal cap c into place upon the casing, the fuse clamps l are intercepted between the. casing caps c and c. said caps pressing respectively upon the salient bends m .mii further bending the and this socket is preferably an ends of the clamps l. thereby gripping the fuse wire more tightly in said clamps, and at the same time making excellent electric contacts between said clamps and caps.

The, tube is connected 1n circuit in the usual, or any suitable way. but prefer to form upon each of the metal caps c and c a fiat; wing, or fin, p projecting.r endwise therefrom. which ma)v be readily slipped between forked. or otherwise oppositely disposed, spring contact brackets 1], connected in circuit. and secured to a support.` as shown in Figs. l and 2. lf the spring contacting brackets. are formed as at s in Fig. 5. the blades y) ma)7 be dispensed with. and the tubular portions of the caps c and c gripped between theforks of the brackets.

Thus. the fuse may be readilv replaced or inspected. and all the members of the device used continuously; nothing being discarded upon the blowing ot a fuse` except. the short length of fuse wire k. Small apertures. as at 0. may be made in the tube (l and its lining to ventilate the tube. and to serv as vents upon the burning out of a fuse; butI these apertures should not, be large enough to release hazardous jets of Haine.

It is obvious that the casing u may be filled about the fuse and its holde'r with the usual non-combustible powder, if desired, but this will seldom be advantageous.

l further point out and distinctly claim as in v inventionl. ln an electric. fuse, a. shell having a removable. cap, a removable insulation bar therein. metallic clamps secured approximately at and overhanging the respective ends of said bar, and a fusible wire gripped .by and connecting said clamps.

L. lu an electric Fuse` a shell, a. cap closing.r and tixedlv secured to 'one endet' said shell. a cap removably attached to the other end ot said shell. andan unattaehed fuse holder bar provided with elastic means for making contact with said caps. n

Si. ln an electric fuse, a. shell, a eap tixedly secured i-o one end ot' said shell. ay cap removably attached to the other end of said shell, an unattached fuse holder bar, and spring clamps at the ends of said bar adapted to receive and bold a fuse. thereto and when inclosed in said shell to Contact respectively with said caps.

4. ln au ekctric fuse, a shell, a cap tixedly Secured to one end of said shell, a cap removably att ached to the other end of said shell, au nnattached fuse holder bar, Spring clamps at the ends ot' said bar adapted to receive and hold a fuse thereto and when inclosed ,in said shell to contact; respectivel)y with .said caps. and a fusible wire gripped b v and connecting said clamps.

5. ln an electric fuse, an insulated bar adapted to be inserted in a easing', and me tallic springs secured to said bar having forked terminations overhanging the irel' speetive endsof said bar adapted to receive and hold a fuse wire.

ln an electric fuse,4 an insulated bar adapted to be inserted in a casing, metallic springs secured to said bar having forked terminations overhanging the respective ends of said ba r. and a socket in each of said spring forks to receive and hold a fuse wire.

'i'. An electric fuse comprising a shell. caps adapted to close the ends of said shell one of which is removable. an nnattaebed insulation bar capable of insertion into said shell. metallic spring clamps secured to said ba so as to roject beyond and overhang' t-lnll ends ot tie bar respectively. gripping` m'rns iu said clamps arranged to receivi`r an hold a fuse wire irrespective ot` the po sition of said bar. and means wherebv said spring clamps ma v be further tightened uppn the fuse wire and held in compression betaveen said caps after insertion ot' said bar in said shell.

.[n testimony whereof l attix my signature in the presence of two subscribing a itnesses. at (Aleveland. Ohio. this tit-h dav i t' FcbruV am', |913.

- GEORGE tfltilllit.

lVitnesses: l

RavuoNo P. llorrrn. L. G. llorrsn. 

